[ RadSafe ] Chernobyl's Reduced Impact

[Stabin, Michael]

--- Stabin, Michael <michael.g.stabin at Vanderbilt.Edu> wrote:
> The last paragraph is interesting, especially considering the source.

-----John Jacobus [crispy_bird at yahoo.com]
>Do you mean because the source is the NY Times?  


Yes, I did. In the US, there has been a general (I know, not strict)
trend for liberal media outlets (of which the NY Times is inarguably one
of the leading examples) to be anti-nuclear. Now we see Greens and some
liberal groups saying pro-nuclear or at least more neutral things. To
hear the NY Times say that risks from radiation exposure from Chernobyl
are "greatly exaggerated" is quite remarkable in my opinion. The idea,
that many of us have been espousing here for years, that radiation risks
are only one set of risks to be considered in the overall context of
life, is quite correct and to be applauded, in my opinion. We all know
that there were many unnecessary abortions performed because of not very
remarkable radiation doses received as a result of this accident. Now,
the allegation that radiation-related fears led to depression, alcohol
abuse, unemployment, and other *tangible damage to real human beings*
(as compared to theoretical risks to theoretical human beings) is
perhaps a breakthrough! The suggestion that this be a factor considered
in responding to future radiation-related emergencies is quite
interesting.

BTW, I read both Fox News and the NY Times, among other sources, most
days. Sometimes I post stuff here from Fox, and have gotten some private
mail criticizing their perceived biases. I find Fox to be much less
biased than many news outlets, and particularly less so than the Times.
I love the Times for its quality, but its biases are inescapable. We can
have more discussions about news bias in general off line, I suggest. If
it pertains to coverage of radiation issues, we might continue it here.


Mike

Michael G. Stabin, PhD, CHP
Assistant Professor of Radiology and Radiological Sciences 
Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences 
Vanderbilt University 
1161 21st Avenue South
Nashville, TN 37232-2675 
Phone (615) 343-0068
Fax   (615) 322-3764
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e-mail     michael.g.stabin at vanderbilt.edu 
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